Adhesive strip server



Jan 27, 1948. 1'. R. GAUTIER Er Al. 2,434,996

ADHESIVE STRIP sRRvRR originalFiled Jan. 9, 1943 7 sheets-sheet 1 I rave wie Jan. 27, 1948. "r, R. GAUTIER ET Al.

i ADHESIVE STRIP SERVER original Filed Jan. 9, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 r In?) mi@ as:

TLR. GAUTIER El' AL ADHESIVE STRIP SERVER 1mg?, 194s.

Original Filed Jan. 9, 1943 Y'Sheets-Sheet 3 "I lll'- Jan. 27, 1948.

T. R. GAUTIER ET AL ADEEsIvE STRIP SERVER OriginalA Filed Jan. 9, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Th2/@nib 21a. evoz'lauer. R056 Pz WHO 2) Jam 27., 1948- T. R. GAUTIER Er AL 2,434,996

ADHEsxvE STRIP SERVER original Filed Jan. 9, 1945 7 sheets-sheet s Jan. 27, 1948. T. R. GAUTIER Er AL ADHESIVE STRIP SERVER original Filed Jan. 9, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 .y .6. @www gulf mama, en. f vRWM T. R. GAuTu-:R Er Ax. 2,434,996

TRIP SERVER Jan. 27, 1948.

ADHESIVE S gnal Filed Jan. 9, 1945 Ori '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 vez@ rs:

Patented Jan. 27,

ADHESIVE STRIP SERVER Trevor R. Gautier and Robert W. Hoitt, Nashua, N. H., assignors to Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company, Nashua, N. H., a corporation oi Massachusetts Original application. January 9, 1943, Serial No. 471,890. Divided and this application March 15, 1944, Serial No. 526,582

`1,4 Claims. (Cl. Sil-14.5)

The present invention relates to devices and apparatus for measuring, adhesively conditioning and delivering selected lengths of adhesive paper and like tape, from supplies of indenite length, the successive strip lengths being delivered in condition for adhesive aixing for package sealing and other purposes. More particularly the invention aims to provide an extremely compact machine of the class described, of rugged construction and eilcient operation, and wherein the actuating parts are protected and concealed in an enclosure having a minimum of projecting parts and presenting an attractive stream lined appearance, rendering the machine appropriate to store counters. oilice desks and like locations where space saving. and pleasing ap? Figs. 14 and 15 represent the inner faces of the right and left frames, respectively, and

Fig. 16 shows the inner face of the front door or cover;

Fig'. 17 is a front end elevation ofthe machine as a whole, on the scale of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 18 is a companion view to Fig. 17, showing the rear end.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the machine comprises a combined frame and housing seen in full assembly in Fig. 1 and-as to its various component elements in the other views. The housing as illustrated comprises two main longitudinall or side frames I and 2,'a removable side f are made to present at their inner faces all the Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken just inside the right side frame;

Fig. 3 is a plan, with the cover removed and the right side plate sectioned;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5, on a larger scale. is a vertical longi- .tudinal section substantially centrally through the machine, with the rear end broken away;

Figs. 6 and 7, on Sheet 1, are vertical cross` sections, Fig. 6 being taken near the front or delivery end of the machine as on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 and looking forwardly, while Fig. 7 is taken near the rear of the machine as on the line 'I-I of Fig. 2 and looking rearwardly;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of elements of the measuring and feeding mechanism;

Fig. 9 shows in side elevation a portion of the reinforcing ribs, fins and such vformations and the various lugs, bosses, projections and the like as appropriate for the mounting and positioning of the operating parts to be described, and for readily and demountably securing together the housing elements, thus providing a smooth surfaced and pleasing exterior' for the resulting portable machine unit.

Noting particularly Figs. 1, 17 and 18, the housing has none of the usual externally visible securing means such as nuts, bolts, screws, clips and the like connections. It is also noted that the side plate 3 is so shaped and correlated with the adjacent frame member 2 as-to match externally with the'opposite one-pieceside frame I, affording a well-balanced structure of symmetrical and attractivecontour as viewed from any angle.

These side frames I and 2 are respectively formed with inwardly extended rear ends la and 2a adapted to abut laterally in opposed relation toprovide an enclosing lower rear wall for the housing. These frames are separable joined by a minimum of interconnections, to bereferred to in connection with the various other functions which they serve. Along their lower edges the side frames I and 2 are formed with base flanges ib and 2b provided with cushioning-pads 6, 6, etc. of rubber or other resilient composition, d esirably recessed at their underface for increased holding effect, and-,securely set into conforming ber in readiness to be drawn upon.

inverted sockets 1, I, etc. in the side frame bases. At the rear portion of the machine, the space between the side frames IV and 2 and within the overlying portion of the conforming inverted trough-like top cover l provides avchamber for a supply of the adhesive tape or strip in roll form, as indicated at T, Fig. 2, positioned in this cham- Such supply roll is supportedon a combined door and underguide 8 comprising a single piece of metal or other strip material continuous from the rear of the tape supply chamber to and beyond the rotary tape-engaging elements of the feed means to be described. The rear end of this tape support and guide 8 serves as one interconnection for the side frames. For this purpose`it is lapped horizontally against proiections 9, `I on the frame rear walls Ia, 2a and there secured as by nuts and bolts 8a, Illa, Figs. 2 and 4. This guide flooring 8 has a width adapting it to space and brace the side frames. It is positioned vertically and also lengthwise by a series of locating nubs II, I2 projecting from the respective side frames and distributed along the adjacent edges of this guide flooring 8, some below and others above the latter; Figs. 3, 4, 5, 14l and 15.

The top cover l extends nearly the full length of the machine. Its front end terminates at and in part defines the delivery station for the moistened measured lengths of tape to be dispensed. This cover is readily removably hinged at the rear of the side frames. The latter have opposed sockets Ic, 2c, Figs. 3, 14 and l5, for horizontal plug-like pivot pins 4a. Noting Figs. 2, 3 and 7, these pins are each of a length to extend through aligned bearing apertures in vertical flanges Ib projecting forwardly from a tongue 4c depending ward and rear slots respectively; see for example Ila andilb as to plate I4, Figs. 2 and 5. the other plate being similar. By lifting the guide plates about their supporting bar their slot-entering portions are disengaged, permitting the plates to be shifted laterally as appropriate for the particular width of tape. such as V4, 1, 1%, 1*/2 inch. etc.

The floor and under-guide 8 also has formed in its forward portion an elongated central slot 8a, Fig. 3, giving access to the underface of thetape by the driven feeding and measuring wheel or roll 20, Figs. 2 to 5 and 8. This lower feed wheel 20 acts in cooperation with an overlying and herein relatively smaller feed wheel or roll 2i. to engage, measure out and advance the tape between them and past the severing and the moistening means, for delivery in moistened condition at the front end of the machine.

The upper feed and measuring roll 2l is mounted on a combined roll carrier and tape guide, herein formed as a unitary casting; Figs.

` projectingflaterally beyond the ears 22 and from lthe base of the rear wall ld of the cover 4.

These pivot pins la areof reduced diameter at their inner ends to provide abutment shoulders for the opposite ends of a retaining spring 4e. By merely unseating this spring, the cover pivot pins may be withdrawn inwardly, permitting the cover to be removed bodily and as easily restored. Reinforcing ribs 4! at the inner faces of the cover, Figs. 2 and 5, are projected below its side edges as feet 4g to aid in firmly positioning the cover laterally on the respective side frames. The

. lower edge of the cover tongue 4c is rounded and the adjacent horizontal upper edges of the frame rear walls la, 2a are correspondingly arcuately beveled, as at Id, 2d, Figs. 14, 15, t0 provide an overlapping joint in the closed position of the cover 4. The latter is stopped and held in its substantially vertical full-open position by engagement of the outer face of its tongue 4c down upon the top of the frame rear walls la, 2a.

Tape rolls of different widths within the capacity of the machine are laterally centered in the supply chamber by means of adjustable side guides or plates I3. Il, Figs. 2 to 4, 5 and 'l'. These plates are slidably and pivotally mounted at their upper forward portions on a crossbar I5 having its opposite ends removably supported in aligned bosses IB, I1 on the respective frames I and 2; see also Figs. 14 and l5. The floor member B further serves in positioning these lateralguides I3, I4. For that purpose it has a series of transversely spaced slots Il at its forward portion, and a corresponding longitudinally aligned rear series of spaced slots I9. The guide plates I3, Il have down projections at their `forward ends, and otherA depending members at their lower rear portions, adapted for positioning reception in any selected aligned pair of the forhaving a smooth flat underface to serve as a top guide for the tape immediately forward of the feed rolls. The upper roll 2l is of a size and so located on the carrier as to project below the guide foot 25. Thus with the roll in its operative position against the lower feed roll 20, or in contact with the tape between them, the guide foot 25 is properly spaced vertically to define with the forward portion of the flooring 8 a, chute or guide for the tape advanced forwardly beyond the feed rolls.

'I'he upper roll carrier further comprises a transverse bearing 26 above the ears 22 and an upright portion 24, for reception loosely on a cross shaft 21, Fig. 5, said cross shaft serving as a horizontal pivotal support for the upper roll carrier as a whole and also as a cross connection between the side frames I and 2. For this purpose the framesl have at transversely opposite upper portions upright brackets Irc, 2x, Figs. 14, l5, apertured for screws 21a, 2lb, Fig. 3, tapped into the respective ends of the cross shaft 21.

This cross shaft also supports spring means for pressing the upper feed roll 2l againt the tape and keeping it in feeding and measuring relation to the lower roll orwheel 20. Such spring means herein comprises a pair of duplicate coil springs 28, 28 set on the shaft 21 at opposite sides of the roll carrier, betweeen the latter and the side frame brackets Im, 2x, see particularly Figs. 2, 3 and 5. These springs have rear legs 28a, 28a hooked over the respective ends of the roll Y pin 23, and forward legs 28h, 28h tensioned across the upper edge of a cross member II5 the bottom edge of which provides the fixed cutter element of the tape severing means, to be described. For lifting the upper roll 2|, and with it the top guide plate 25. to expose the tape path for inspection and cleaning purposes, the roll carrier has an upwardly and rearwardly projecting lifting lever 29 formed integrally with the roll carrier unit and presented for convenient engagement by the operators fingers. on opening the housing cover I.

Novel means, of extremely compact construction andarrangement, is provided for actuating the feeding and measuring mechanism, in association with the moistening and severing means. Referring to Figs. 2, 4, and 8the lower feed roll or wheel 20 is mounted to rotate, in the forward or feeding direction, counter-clockwise in Fig. 2, on a stationary main shaft 30. Aft the left of the machine sald shaft is held in a recessed boss 3| on the side frame I, see particularly Fig. 14, while its opposite end projects freely through a bearing aperture 32 in the frame 2 and laterally out through an opening 53 in the side cover plate 3; see also Figs. 13 and 15. The feed wheel 20 has at its left face, Fig. 4, an elongated hub 20a loosely received on the shaft 30, the hub together with a washer spacing the wheel relative to the frame Aso as to present it centrally of the tape path.'`

At its other face the feed wheel 20 carries a pawl 35 pivoted on a stud '36, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 8. A flat spring 31 having one end bent to engage around a button 38 on the wheel 20 presses the'pawl toward the wheel axis. A similar button 39 depresses the spring at an intermedlate point, to tension it. If desired, a shifting pawl such 'as that of Gautier Patent 2,290,041 may here be employed.

The pawl 35 coacts with a ratchet disk 40 so that the wheel 20 receives rotation inthe forward, feeding direction (counter-clockwise in Figs. 2 and 8) but is left at rest during reverse return rotation, clockwise, of the ratchet disk '45 in the hub of a pinion 46. This pinion, the

coupler 4| and the ratchet disk 40 accordingly rotate as a unit. The coupler 4| :und the pinion 46 have a joint extent along the shaft 30 so as to fit snugly between the feed wheel 20 and the right side frame 2, all the described parts onthe dial recesses 53h of the cover plate.

p These enter the washer recesses 51 and hold it against turning` relative to the lever. The lever hub is then inserted through the apertured boss 53a of the cover plate 3, the hub being positioned with its lugs 54 horizontal, in line with the ra. A second washer and lock ring 58, with similar central aperture 58a and radial recesses 58h is then passed onto the lever hub, at the inner face of the cover plate and given a quarter turn to carry its recesses out of line with the lever hub lugs 54. This brings a ncn-recessed-portio'n of the lock washer 58 behind the lever hub lugs, between them and the cover plate. Thus the lever is demountably locked in assembled position on the plate, yet left free to swing in the vertical plane relative to it.

1n some instances, particularly where, as here shown, the radial lugs 54 of the hand lever 5|!l are out of line with `the cover-plate slots 53h in all operative positions of the hand lever when the cover plate is in place, either or both ofthe outer and inner washers 55 and 58 may be dispensed with. In such case the hub of the hand lever may have a slot-covering flange corresponding to the outer washer 55 formed integrally with it, while its lugs 54 may be appropriately extended axially by'substantially the thickness of the. in-

' ner washer 58.

shaft 30 consequently being correctly located and held laterally by and between the two side frames. The feeding and measuring means, as well as the cut-off mechanism, to be described, are operated by the hand lever or operating lever 58 disposed conveniently to the operators hand and having a finger-engaging piece 5| at its fore end resembling a button or push-key; Figs. 3 and 4. This hand lever, herein at the right side of the machine, is the only exposed moving part, as evident in Figs. 1, 17 and 18. For assembly purposes it is associated with the side cover plate 3, so as to remain with the latter during removal and replacement of the plate. Y Accordingly the hand lever has at its lowe end a lateral hub 52 adapted to extend through a corresponding aperture 53 of a boss -53a onA the side plate 3, see also Fig. 13, said plate aperture having horizontal radial recesses or slots 53h. The lever hub 52 has at its inner end a pair of inwardly and also radially projecting lugs 54, 54, best seen in Figs. 8 and 9. At the outer the washer isv given a quarter turn, bringing itsv In addition tothe feed elements described, the shaft 3|) also provides bearing support for the hand lever 50 and for lthe operating element or crank 60 which transmits motion from the hand lever to the other actuating parts. This crank 60, of a general bell-crank form, has xed on it .a laterally extended bearing portion or sleeve 6| rotatably received on the projecting end of the shaft 30. The hand lever hub 52' is centrally recessed to receive this crank bearing sleeve 6| and the enclosed end of the shaft 38, so that the sleeve and shaft afford the bearing support for the hand lever, rather than the side plate 3.' The side plate 3 itself is demountably secured to the side frame 2 by a number of screws 3a extending out through the latter into bosses 3b at the inner face of the cover plate 3; ysee Figs. 4, 7 and particularly Fig. 13,

The crank or main actuating element 80 is directly associated with the hand lever 50 and is seen separately in Fig. 8. It'comprises a rear v arm 62 having'a stop foot 63 at its outer end,

an intermediate depending arm 64, and s. for'- wardly extended length-control -arm 65.

The body of the crank 60 adjacent its sleeve bearing has a pair of radialv recesses 68, 66 which receive the lugs 54, 54 on the hand lever 50. 'I'hus in thel assembled position of the parts the hand lever is directly connected to the crank in fixedangular relation to it.

The central arm 6,4 of the crank 60 has at its lower end a lateral boss 61 which extends ini through and is longitudinally movable Iin an' opening 68 in the adjacent side frame 2; see Fig. 15, The crank boss 61 is apertured as at 61a, see Fig. 8, to support a stud 69 having at its inner end a; bearing 65a for rotatably mounting a traveler gear 10, desirably of a light weight but re-l .nascose 7 the crank by the stud 88. is swung bodily lengthwise ofgthe machine and along an arc about the crank axis. Vertically below .the gear l is an arcuate toothed rack Il integrallycast or otherwise fixed at the inner face of the frame 2 as by rivets 'I2 received in bosses 13 thereon; see Figs. 2, 5, and i5. This toothed rack is shaped and positioned to be concentric with the crank axis, namely, the shaft 80, so as to have meshing engagement with the gear throughout its bodily reciprocating movement lengthwise of the machine. This gear 10 also is proportioned .to mesh constantly with the previously mentioned pinion 68 on shaft 30. Accordingly, as the gear 'I0 is bodily traveled lengthwise of the stationary rack 1| by movement of the hand lever 50, it is also forced to rotate on its own axis, and in so doing also to rotate the pinion 66 and with it the feed wheel 20.

'Ihis drive gearing has a high ratio, such that a small angular movement of the hand lever 50 affords a substantially increased rotation of the feed wheel 20. In the illustrated example, the hand lever has a maximum stroke of only about 45, But in making such relatively shortstroke it may impart several full rotations to the driven feed wheel 20. Accordingly the length of tape obtainable by a single stroke of the hand lever has a correspondingly wide range, as calculated for the given size of machine and the particular field of use. Merely by way of example, with a feed wheel 20 of but about a 'two-inch diameter the described construction and arrangement of hand lever gearing connections gives accurately measured tape lengths from about 2 inches up to 6 and 8 inches or more.

As more fully disclosed in our said parent application the machine desirably is equipped with means for setting it .to dispense various different predetermined tape lengths. In its normal rest or up position the operating lever 501 stands substantially as in Figs. 1, 5, 17 and 18, to which it is automatically returned on release following .a feed stroke, such position' being determined as by a return stop 15, Fig. 4, held by fingers 'I6 on the side frame 2, Figs. 4 and 13, and cooperating lugs 11 in the cover plate 3, Fig. 13. This Stop block is disposed to abut the foot 63 on the rear arm 62 of the crank 60, previously described, see particularly Figs. 3, 4 and 8. Similarly as in said earlier application, the feed-length selecting means may comprise a control arm 65, Figs. 3, 4 and 8, having a series of shoulders or stops 80 to 83 selectively engageable with a selector device 84, Fig. 6, Divotally supported by a lateral boss at its upper end received in a bearing collar 86 on the side frame 2. A lateral stop finger 8l at the lower end of this selector- 84 is adapted to be set, by pivotal movement of the selector, to bring it into opposition .to any desired one of the stop shoulders 80 to 83. The selector may be heid in a desired position as by means of a lspring detent 88, Fig. 6, engageable in the appropriate notch of a segment 89 near the base of the side frame 2. 'I'he selector 84 carries a pin 84 which extends out through a slot 85a in the side plate 3. Fig. l, and terminating in the setting button or the like 85. The side plate may be marked with a scale of feed lengths, such for example as 3, 4, 6, 8, adjacent the setting button.

The hand lever is automatically returned to its rest position of Figs. 1, 5, 17 and 18 by suitable spring means, herein comprising a first or main spring |00 of the rr-:traction` type, the upper end of which is seen in Fig. 3. Desirably also 8 a second or compensator spring device of the expansion type may be provided, as fully disclosed and claimed in our said parent application and not necessary here to consider in further detail, the action of such means in combination with the main spring |00 being such as to afford the desired eiort for the lever at different portions of its stroke and irrespective of the total stroke length.

Turning now to the severing of the measured lengths of moistencd tape, the mechanism for this purpose is operatively associated with the described feeding, guiding and measuring means. and preferably and as herein shown is actuated automatically through the medium of the hand lever 50. f l

The cutter element comprises a ilxed blade ||6 transversely positioned on the frames i and 2 with its lower edge just above the tape path, in shearing relation to the movable blade H6. At its left end, Fig. 3, the fixed member ||5 has a reduced portion ||5a received in a seat "5b, Fig, 14, on the frame I, While its. right end projects laterally through an opening ||1 in frame 2, Fig. 15, and is supported by bracket 8 on the latter carrying a stud ||9 extending through both blades and providing the pivot for the movable blade ||6. The movable blade H6 normally occupies a position clear of and herein below the path of the tape, and in cutting the tape it is raised so as to make a rapid up cutting stroke with immediate return. This is effected by a trip vmechanism and operating connections associated with the hand lever 50 through the medium of the crank 60 already described.

As more fully described in our parent application, and noting particularly Figs. 2 and 5. also Fig. 8, the pivot stud 68 for the traveller gear 10, which stud is mounted in the aperture 81a of the intermediate depending arm 64 of the crank 60, Fig. 8, is laterally extended and has xed on it a depending iinger |20 carrying at its lower end a cam roll |22.

Noting Fig. 5, this cam roll finger |20 swings rearwardly during a feed stroke of the hand lever 50, and during its subsequent return movement said finger |20 cooperates with the cutter actuating means comprising a trip lever |23 having at its rear end a bearing collar |24 rockably received on a. stud |25 in a boss |26 von the side frame 2; see Fig. 15. The front end of this trip lever |23 is connected to the movable blade ||6 by a link |21, Figs. 2 and 5, pivoted to said parts at its opposite ends in a manner affording the link a pivoting movement both laterally and longitudinally of the machine; Figs. 2 and 5.

Actuation of thertrip lever |23, on forward return movement of the nnger |20 in conjunction with the hand lever return, is effected by a dog or trip member |30, see particularly Fig. 5, pivoted at |3| upon the trip lever |23. The front and rear arms |32, |33 of this dog overlie stops |34, |35 on said lever which limit vertical rocking movement of the dog. This dog, illustrated as of a general triangular shape, has front and rear oppositely inclined cam faces |36, |31, the latter presenting an abrupt shoulder |3'la. l

In the normal or rest position of the parts, hand lever 50 being elevated as in Figs. 1 and 5, the cam roll |22 stands in front of the forward cam surface |36 of the pivoted dog |30. As the hand lever 50 is depressed for a feed stroke, the cam or tripiinger |20 through the medium of the crank 60 is swung rearwardly, toward the left in Fig. 5. During this movement the pivoted `-dog |30 is lifted idly, to an extent limited by the face |31.

As the feed stroke of the hand lever continues, the finger |20 and its cam roll |22 move on back away from the dog |30, the latter tipping back v to its initial position as defined by down engagement of its rear arm |33 with vthe corresponding stop- |35 on the trip lever |23. This down movement of the dog takes place by gravity, since the portion of the dog behind its pivot |3I is the heavier. In the illustrated. construction it is accelerated and made certain by the knife and trip-lever return spring |40, which has its lower end connected to the front arm |32 of the dog as by a pin |32a thereon and its upper end connected to a portion of the movable blade ||6 remote from the pivot of the latter.

'The extent of movement of the trip finger |20 rearwardly past the dog depends on the degree of depressionv of the hand lever 50, in accord- Aance with the selected tape length to be measured out. But regardless of the length of tape delivered within the available range, the con'- struction and arrangement of the parts herein is such as to insure that the trip finger is thus preparatorily carried to the rear of the dog during an early part of the given feed stroke, including the shortest.

On release of the hand lever 50 at completion oral down or feed stroke, its described return means causes the trip finger |20 to return forwardly, toward the left on Fig. 2 (toward the right on Fig. 5). In the course of this return movement, when the tape feed has been completed and the tape accordingly is` at rest, the

cam roll |22 engages the rear inclined face 31 of the dog |30, strikes the abrupt shoulder |31a of the latter, and thrusts the trip lever |23 sharply and rapidly upward. The trip finger |20 and its cam roll |22 continue their forward return during a remainder of the hand llever return movement, the cam roll passing'` forwardly beneath the lowest portion of the dog so as to bring the latter again to its initial or rest position of Fig. 5 in front of the dog |30 and immediately below its forward inclined face |36.

Through the described pivotal link connection |21 between the trip lever |23 and the movable blade ||6 it will be seen that thequick positive upthrow of the trip lever |23 affords an extremely rapid shearing action for the blade, with substantially instantaneous release and return thereof to its normal position clear of and herein below the tape path, in immediate readiness for severing a succeeding length of tape.

As in our said parent application, a slight lost motion may be provided between the trip finger |20 and the crank 60, as also between the hand lever 50 and the driven feed wheel 20, as by appropriate clearance between the'hand lever lugs 54 and the recesses 66 on the crank in which'they are received; Fig. 8. Of if preferred, a shifting pawl, such as that of Gautier Patent No. 2,290,041

may be employed, either alternatively or in addition to such lost motion provisions, thereby insuring against interference with the cutting action by occasional rebound'of the hand lever.

l0 the blade and the trip lever |23, during which it also is extended and further tensioned. In the down or rest positions of these parts, the spring normally stands under some tension. holding the blade and the trip lever as closely together as vtheir interconnecting link |21 permits. Since such condition of relative approach of the blade and the trip lever can only be had with the blade -open or down, the spring normally pulls and` holds the blade down, and through the link |21 likewise depresses the trip lever |23.

.The lower endof the link |21 is more remote fromy the lever pivotl |25 than the upper end of the link is from the blade pivot H3. Hence for 1| in the course of a feed stroke, the rotation of The movable blade ||6 and the trip lever |23 v are together returned to and normally held in their down position, as in Fig. 5, by means of the y coil spring |40 whichinterconnects them. v Thisv spring |40 has a vertical `bodily movement with a given angular up movement of the lever |23 the link accords a greater angular movement to the blade H3. At the same time the free end oi the blade, including the attaching point |4| (Figs.

2 and 5) of the upper end of the spring |40, which is more remote from the blade pivot than the upper end of the link |21 is, receives a greater lineal up movement than does the lower end of the spring by its connection to the lever |23 through the dog |30.

Consequently the spring is extended and additionally tensioned during up movement of the blade and its trip lever 23. But as soon as the cam roll |22 has cleared the dog |30, forwardly, the spring |40 is free to contract. To do so itmust bring the blade and trip lever closer to each other, to the extent which the link |21 allows'.

The effect is to pull down the blade, and, through the link |21, to thrust down the trip lever, into vthe rest position of Fig. 5. Down movement of comprising a pad or cushion |42 on a bracket |43 projecting from the adjacent face of the frame 2; Fig. 5.

It will be seen also that the spring |40 has a rearward and downward inclination, its lower end being anchored somewhat to the rear of the pivoted blade IIB. Thus it has a component force effective to bias the movable blade toward the fixed blade 5, affording them an efficient cooperative shearing action. 4

At an earlier point we have described means including the resilient back-stop or buffer 15 Vfor halting the return motion of the hand lever and associated reciprocating parts of the feed action. In some instances, particularly where a rapid return stroke is desired, yet without attendant objectionable rebound or overfeed, such means may be supplemented by, or have substituted for it, means affording a braking' or positive stopping action on and through a rotary member of the feed mechanism. Herein for the purpose such arrangement is shown in connection with the intermediate or traveller gear 10. As seen in Fig. 5 said gear 10 has at its inner face, its face adjacent the camroll arm or finger |20, a laterally projecting stop member such as the pin orscrew 10a. In the normal or restposition oi' the parts this stop 10a stands against the forward edge of said arm or gear 10 travels'bodily rearward along the rack the gear carries the stop 10a away from said finger |20, counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 5.

On release and return of the hand lever 50 and v with itthe gear 10, the stop 10a returns rotatively to -its' initial or rest position of Fig. 5

' bringing up positively against the forward edge of 'the finger |20. Further rotation of the gear 10 being thus positively blocked, the gear cannot move further forward along the rackand accordingly further rearward return motion of the hand lever 50 is positively stopped. The energy of the halted parts is taken up in part by the lostmotion mounting of the finger |20 previously referred to and by the interengaged gear and rack, substantially eliminating any tendency for the gear to turn reversely, in the feed direction.

Where such positive stop means as afforded by the stop 10a is employed in combination with a buiier element such as the resilient back-stop 15, these two elements are/,so relatively arranged that the buffer-engaging member, herein the foot 63 on the arm 62 of the lever-operated crank 60, will engage the buffer 15 substantially simultaneously with or a brief instant after the striking of the stop 10a against the finger |20. Thus the momentum of the parts in the return direction may largely be absorbed by the buffer but with little or no actual compression of' the latter. The result is an extremely positive stopping action, substantially without rebound or tendency of overfeeding of the tape at the end of a lever return stroke. In some instances the buffer means such as 15 may be dispensed with. 1u such constructions, or under the provision of the joint stopping elements as herein illustrated, the stop pin or screw 10a may carry a fibre or other collar for the direct contact with the engaged element such -as the roll arm or finger |20.

As previously indicated, the tape from the supply roll T (Fig. 2) is advanced along the .underguide 8, by and between the feeding and measuring rolls 20, 2|, the tape passing below the guide foot 25 of the upper roll carrier and forwardly past the severing means and below the fixed blade |15. Beyond this cut-off point the leading portion of the tape is advanced to and past additional guides and correlated means for moistening its gummed (under) face.

Such means comprises a tank or reservoir |50, best seen in Figs. 2, 4. 5 and 6. Desirably it is formed of a plastic transparent or semi-transparent composition permitting the level of .the contained moistening liquid to be observed. In this tank is removably set a capillary moistening element, such as the inverted brush |5| resting on its butt .I 5|a. The bottom wall of the tank is projected up, centrally, in an inverted V-formation |52 transverse of the tank. Theoppositely inclined walls of this raised formation serve to direct the butt of the brush |5| into correct position in the tank, substantially as in Fig. 5,

when the brush is merely dropped into it. The side walls of the tank have central vertical ribs. |53 at their inner faces, each with a slot |54` at its upper end to support a removable partition I 55, of similar material as the tank or otherwise. The brush |51 is adapted to incline for# wardly against this partition, with the free ends of its hair or bristles projecting above the tank. By reason of the removable partition or upper support for the brush all the interior of the tank is readily accessible for cleaning. As thus constructed the tank is reversible end to end, so

, that the brush may be located in either half section of tank and the latter inserted into the machine, with the then brush-carrying section to the rear. This automatically positions the upper end of the brush in correct moistening relation to the under face of the tape.

Referring to Figs. 2, 5 and 6, the tank assembly as a whole is removably positioned between the forward portions of the side frames and 2, upon a pair of opposed horizontal ribs |56, |51 on the latter. Inward movement of the tank is limited by one or more lateral projections as at |58, Fig. 2, and it is held against forward displacement by lugs |59, |60 on the respective side frames and having vertical rear faces to abut the lower front wall of the tank. These lugs may also serve as positioning stops for the front closureelernent 5. together with the outer ends of upper and lower horizontal ribs |6|, |62 and |53, |64, Figs. '6, 14 and 15, on the respective side'frames. These latter ribs also guide and locate the tank laterally: Fis. 6

In the closed position of the front closure 5, the tank is held down by a hook-like projection |65 at the inner face of said closure 5, adapted to overlie the top edge of the tank front Wall, as best seen in Fig. 5; see also Fig. 16. The tank unit may readily be lifted out from the machine on swinging the front closure 5 to its open position shown in Fig. 5. This front member also affords a convenient .location for the name plate |66 held on a rectangular frame |61, Figs. 5 and 16, at the inner face of the closure. Such plate |66 itself serves as a further front positioning means for the tank |50.

As mentioned earlier, this front closure 5 also provides a delivery table or guide for the moistened lengths of tape dispensed by the machine. For this purpose its main wall is inturned at its upper end and is projected rearwardly and somewhat downwardly to form a delivery guide |10. Thus in the normal closed position of this front member 5, as shown dotted in Fig. 5, the rear edge of its tape guide portion |10 stands directly in front of or contacts and assists to support the projecting end of the brush moistener ISI. At the sides of the tape path this guide formation I 10 of the front closure 5 further includes integral upstanding projections |11, |12 for confining the tape laterally; see also'Flgs. 3 and 17. The top edges of these lateral guides |1I, |12 are disposed along a similar line of upward and rearward curvature as the adjacent portions of the side frames and 2 and of the side cover plate 3, ail'ording a complete and conforming closure for the front of the machine as a whole, the top cover 4 fitting snugly down onto the top side portions of front element 5.

As best seen in Fig. 3, also Figs. 16 and 17, the guide means |10, |1I, |12 on the front closure 5 present an open-top trough-like formation the floor of which terminates forwardly in a downwardly rounding portion as at |13 merging into the main vertical wall of this front element. l This formation facilitates the delivery and seizure of the moistened, severed lengths of tape as measured out by the machine.

The combined closure and delivery element 5 is pivotally supported byv means of a pair of inwardly extending ears |68 at its lower portion. these being apertured in transverse alignment for bearing reception on pivot lugs |69 at the bottom front corners of the frames and 2; Figs. 14-16. This front door-like element ls automatically returned to and normally held in its .closing position, herein by means of a coil spring blades.

13 verse brace and interconnection for the front portions of the side frames.

Beyond the severing means the advancing tape is directed into contact with the moistener by clined as a lip [8| to receive and direct the lead-- ing edge of the tapev with certainty onto it. Opposite lateral portions of this lip |8| are extended to form supporting collars |82, |83 for pivotal reception on opposedbearing bosses |84, |85 cast on the side frames and 2 and which pro,

vide horizontal pivotal support for the guide and depresser unit as a whole. The rear lip I 8| on the plate |80 also has a downwardly projecting finger |88 adapted to bear against the front face of the blade i I6 at times when the brush and tank have been removed, and thus to keep the guidedepresser unit from dropping down into the space normally occupied by the tank. Hence when the tank is to be reinsertedl the operator need give no special attention to lifting this guide-depresser unit.

Along its lateral edges the bottom plate |80 has uptumed flanges |81, |88 which project forwardly beyond the front edge of the plate and there provide bearing support for the end pintles |89 of a centering of the tape, Particularly that of maximum width for tile given machine.

tape presser or Adepressing element in the form of a circumferentially grooved roll |90 adapted to rest on the top face of the tape opposite the brush, or directly on the brush in the absence of tape between it and the roll.

The roll pintles |89 also provide pivotal support for the top guide plate |9| which cooperates with the bottom plate |80 to present an enclosing chute for the tape. This top plate I 9| has upright and forwardly projecting flanges |92. |93 received between the flanges |81, |88 of the bottom plate, both pairs of anges being apertured in line with the roll axis so as to receive its bearing pintles |89.

These chute-forming guides |80 and |9| haiLe their forward transverse edges substantially in vertical line, closely behind vthe brush and the presser roll |90, and in such relation to the latter that the tape is directed along a tangent to the under portion of the roll where it seats on the brush. The top plate |9| extends rearwardly over the under plate|80 and has its rear edge |88 deflected upwardly to form with the downturned lip |8I of the under plate a directive mouth for the tape immediately in front of the cut-off This mouth or entrance to the guide chute |80, |9| is of considerable vertical extent at its receiving end adjacent the blades, so as to insure entrance of the leading edge of the tape into the guide chute despiteany possible variations in the vertical level of the tapeas` it is advanced across the fixed blade ||5.

Correct vertical spacing of the guide plates .|80 and |9| is maintained at their forward por- For manipulating the upper guide plate |9| and also the described presser-guide unit as a whole, said plate has secured at its upper facey an upright nger piece |91, which also constitutes a weightingy element for this entire unit. By grasping this finger piece or button which 'desirably is a relatively heavy solid metal element. the operator may easily swing the top guide |8| forwardly on its own pivotal support at the presser roll axis and into a position as shown dotted in Fig. 12. This exposes the whole interior of the guide` chute between the severing means and the moistener. If then it is further desired to inspect the brushand tank, without necessarily removing them, the entire unit may be lifted and swung rearwardly about the axis provided by the frame lugs |84, |85 on which the under plate |80 is pivoted by its collars |82, |83. Thislatter axis is the same as that about which the presser-guide unit as a whole has a yielding vertical movement for accommodation of the presser roll |90 to the position of the upper end of the moistening brush, it being noted in this vconnection that the entire feed chute assembly IBD-|91 pivots vertically on 4said i'lxed aixis, which is located at the rear of the unit as a whole and at a point substantially spaced behind the brush and its cooperant presser roll |80.

Thus the roll is capable of -a substantial range of vertical adjustment yet the tape is always insured of positive guiding along substantially` a straight line from the severing blades up to and betweenthe contact areas of thev roll and brush and thence onto the delivery platform |10 of the front closure 5. In all operative positions of this unit its top and bottomk guides |80, |9| including theirfrear mouth have the same xed relation to the presser roll |90 so as to direct the tapealong the same tangential line to the under brush-contacting area of the roll. l

From the disclosure herein it will be evident l that the invention includes as an important aspect an improved structure and organization for a moistened tape dispensing machine in its entirety, with improved cooperative interrelation i portantly functioning in the feeding, guiding and moistening actions, also is novelly correlated with the severing means. prises sub-combinationally the numerous features of novelty presented by the mechanisms individually.

Ourv invention is not limited to the particular embodiment as herein illustrated or described,

its scope being set out in the following claims.A

We claim: 1. In a tape dispenser, a housing including means to support a tape supply, shear means in the housing together with feed and guide means to advance tape fron-iA the supply past the shear means, a Amoisture applicator' spaced forwardly of the shear means, 'a tank for Supplying moistenlng liquid to the applicator, tape guiding means between the shear means andthe applicator, and

a' door-like 'front member pivotally associated The invention further com` 15 with the housing and having at its upper portion a. trough-like element extending back over a front section of the tank and substantially to the applicator so as to underlie the moistened tape lengths projected beyond the latter.

2. In a tape dispenser, a housing including spaced side frames providing a tape supply chamber, a moisture applicator at a fore portion of the housing to contact the under face of the tape,

a reservoir for moistening liquid removably seated on and between the side frames. means to advance tape from the supply to and aorossthe applicator, and a door-like front closure movably mounted on the housing and presenting a guide for the tape forwardly of the moisture applicator.

3. In a tape dispenser, a housing including spaced side frames providing a tape supply chamber, a moisture applicator at a fore portion of the housing to contact the under face of the tape, a reservoir for moistening liquid removably seated on and between the side frames, means to advance tape from the supply to and across the applicator, a door-like front closure movably mounted on the housing and presenting a guide for the tape forwardly of the moisture applicator, and positioning means on said closure cooperable with the reservoir.

4. In a tape dispenser, a housing including spaced side frames providing a tape supply chamber, a moisture applicator at a fore portion of the housing to contact-the under face of the tape, a reserwoir for moistening liquid removably seated on and between the side frames, means to advance tape from the supply to and across the applicator, and a door-like front closure movably mounted on the housing, said front closure having positioning means cooperable with the reservoir and having its upper portion constructed and arranged as a guide for the tape issuing from the moisture applicator 5. In a tape dispensing machine, a housing comprising a longitudinally extensive laterally protuberant side frame, a similar but straight side frame laterally spaced from the first, said frames having at their rear ends inturned portions of reduced height adapted to abut each other vertically to provide a lower rear wall for the housing, a top cover pivoted on the frames adjacent said rear wall, a separable side cover plate at the outer face of the second side frame opposite and conformant in size and shape to the protuberant portion of the first frame, and a doorlike front closure interposed between the front portions of said frames and mounted on them for movement between open and closed positions, said front closure having a horizontally extending upper portion providing a delivery platform for tape to be projectedlfrom the machine.

6. In a tape dispensing machine, longitudinal frames defining between them a main compartment, a removable side cover plate at the outer` face of one of said frames, said frame and side cover plate including lateral wall means and together forming an auxiliary compartment, an operating lever having at one end portion a lateral supportinghub, a through aperture in the cover plate for axial entry and rotative movement of the leverhub therein, tape-feed actuating mechanism carried on the frames including an operating element adapted to turn from and return to a given angular position about an axis transverse of the frames, said operating element having an axial bearing portion the outer end of whichis concentrically disposed at the cover aperture, said bearihg portion and said lever hub mutually. formed for axial telescoping connection with capacity forA Y and a corresponding lug-seating formation on the operating element to interlock them for angular movement in unison, said cover-plate aperture including a radial portion conformant to the lug of the lever hub and providing for axial withdrawal of the lever when the lug and said aperture portion are angularly aligned, and said lug acting in all non-aligning angular positions thereof relative to said cover-aperture portion to interengage the cover-plate and the lever as an assembly pair for joint removal and replacement and in the installed plate condition to prevent axial separation of the lever hub and the operating element, said radial portion of the cover-plate aperture in said installed condition being angularly spaced from the lug-seating formation of the operating element in said given angular position of the latter.

7. In a strip server having a tape cutter, feed means behind the cutter to advance tape tov and beyond it, and a moistener spaced forwardly of the cutter and adapted to contact the under face of the tape, a tape guiding assembly cooperatively associated with the cutter, the feed means and the moistener, said assembly comprising under and upper guide plates of a length to extendfrom the cutter to the moistener, means pivotally interconnecting the plates at their forward portion, a tape presser roll rotatably, supported in substantially tangential relation to the forward portion of the underplate, and horizontal pivot means at the rear of the underplate supporting `plates of a width at least equalling that of the maximum width of tape to be served and adapted together to define a feed channel having a rear receiving mouth and a frontexit for the tape, means adjacent the channel exit pivotally interconnecting the plates for relative movement between closed and open positions, and pivotal bearing means at the rear of the lower plate for removably positioning the assembly unit on astrip server with capacity for vertical pivotal movement of the unit as g, whole.

9. A tape guiding assembly unit according to claim 8 wherein the pivotal interconnecting means for the plates rotatively support a weighted transverse presser roll at the channel exit, with 'thelower periphery of the roll forward of and approximately tangential to the plane of the lower plate, for depressant guiding of the tape issuing from between the plates.'

10. I n an adhesive strip server, a housing comprising longitudinal frames defining the lateral walls for a, main compartment, said frames having lateral portions at their rear ends together presenting a rear Wall for said compartment, a movable top closure element pivotally mounted at the rear of said frames, said element having rear, lateral, front and top wall portions and being open downwardly to provide an upward extension of and closure for said main compartment and having concealed removable springretained pivotal connections with the lateral walls thereof, a front closure element pivotally supported between the front portions of said longitudinal frames for movement to and from compartment-closing relation with said frames and the forward portion of the top closure element, spring means yieldably holding the front closure element in closed position, a longitudinal removable outwardly dished side plate at the outer face of one of the longitudinal frames and dening therewith a closed auxiliary compartment, and externally concealed means detachably interconnecting the side plate and the adjacent frame, the rear portion of the main compartment and of the top closure element together defining an enclosure for a strip supply roll, the fore portion ofthe main compartment and of the top closure element together with the front closure element being adapted to house strip feeding, moistening and cutting elements, and said side plate c onstructed and arranged.to present for external availability a manual operating element for the strip server and together with the adjacent longitudinal frame to house actuating connections between such operating element and such strip `-feeding, moistening and cutting elements.

11.`Moistening means for strip servers, comprising a generally rectangular tank of a transparent plastic composition, including opposite side, transverse and bottom walls and being open at the top, the side Walls having opposed vertical channel formations at their inner faces, a partitioning wall member removably seated in the channel formations, and an inverted brush moistener receivable in the tank with its butt down and the free ends of its bristles projecting.

12. Moistening means for strip servers, comprising a generally rectangular tank of a transparent plastic composition, including opposite side, transverse and bottom walls and being open at the top, the side walls having opposed verticalchannel formations at their inner faces, a partitioning wall member removably seated in the channel formations, and an inverted brush moistener receivable in the tank with its butt down and the free ends of its bristles projecting, and an upwardly projecting positioning vformation transversely disposed on the tank bottom wall, said formation including transverse surfaces oppositeiy inclined downwardly at opposite sides of the partitioningimember and adapted to direct the brush butt away from the latter.

13. In a strip serving machine, in combination, a housing including spaced longitudinal frames providing a tape roll chamber, tape feed means including a driven roll and an opposed roll cooperable to advance the tape between them, a pair of shear members transverse of the tape path, one fixed and the other movable, means providing a lguiding channel for the tape between the feed means and the shear members, a tank for liquid on and between the frames below the tape path, a capillary moistener in the tank with its upper end projecting for engagement with the under face of the tape. guide means at the front of the machine housing cooperable with the moistener to receive and deliver moistened lengths of tape advanced past it by the feed means, a presser roll adapted to bear on the upper face of the tape to effect moistening engagement of its under face with the moistener, a bottom guide for the tape between the shear members and the moistener, said guide having a forward portion rotatably supporting the presser roll and being pivoted on the frames at its rear portion for vertical movement about a horizontalv axis closely in advance of the shear members, and

said guides adapted to conduct the tape below and in tangential relation to the presser roll and having rearwardly divergent rear edge portions to receive the leading end of the tapefrom the shear members in various angular positions of the plvoted bottom guide.

14. In a strip serving machine, in combination, a housing including spaced longitudinal frames providing a tape roll chamber, tape feed means including a driven roll and an opposed roll cooperable to advance the tape between them, a i

pair of shear members transverse of the tape path, one xed and the other movable, means providing a guiding channel for the tape between the feed means and the shear members, a tank for liquid on and between the frames belowthe tape path, a capillary moistener in the tank with its upper end projecting for engagement Wlththe under face of the tape, a presser roll adapted to bear on the upper face of the tape to eiect moistening engagement of its under face with the moistener, a bottom guide for the tape between the shear members and the moistener, said guide having va, forward portion rotatably supporting the presser roll and being pivoted on the frames at its rear portion for vertical movement about a horizontal axis closely in advance of the shear members, and an upper tape guide carried by the bottom guide, said guides adapted to conduct the tape below and in tangential relation to the presser roll and having rearwardly divergent rear edge portions to receive the leading end of the tape from the shear members in various angular positions of the pivoted bottom guide.

TREVOR R. GAUTIER. ROBERT W. HO'ITT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 913,614 Brownson Feb. 23, 1909 1,431,605 Stone Oct. 10, 1922 1,959,938 Tyler May 22, 1934 2,051,242 Birr Aug. 18, 1936 1,000,571 Anderson Aug. 15, 1911 2,348,067 Hoitt May 2, 1944. 1,894,317 Link Jan. 17, 1933 2,110,912 Krueger Mar. 15, 1938 2,232,708 Krueger Feb. 25, 1941 963,352 Blackman July 5, 1910 1,139,771 Kehoe May 18, 1915 1,477,930 Bartholomew et al. Dec. 18,'1923 1,926,600 Roland Sept. 12. 1933 2,343,315 'Morrison Mar. 7, 1944 2,316,116 Thompson Apr. 6, 1943 1,958,080 Bottker et al. May 8, 1934 2,299,729 Birr Oct. 27, 1942 1,278,789 Thompson Sept. 10, 1918 648,983 Niemeyer May 8, 1900 2,089,420 Phillips Aug. 10, 1937 2,138,474 Gautier Nov. 29, 1938 l1,787,881 Uttz Jan. 6, 1931 2.125.443 Helsel Aug. 2, 1938 2,176,690 Rudie Oct. 17, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 515,689 Great Britain 1...---- Dec. 12, 1939 

